Leak diverter device for use with gutters

ABSTRACT

A leak diverter device for use with gutters is provided. The leak diverter device provides a novel and effective method for diverting water leaked from a gutter away from a fascia board or other moisture sensitive material. The leak diverter device is generally installed between a gutter and the fascia board adjacent a joint in the gutter. The leak diverter blocks leaked water from contacting the fascia board and directs it down and away from the fascia board toward the ground. The leak diverter device generally comprises a first portion located substantially parallel to a fascia board and a second portion protruding from the first portion away from the fascia board. Additionally, it is preferable that the angle between the first portion and the second portion be greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees. Furthermore, the leak diverter device may be installed adjacent a straight section of gutter or may be installed at a corner where two gutter sections join. When installed at a corner, the first portion and the second portion of the leak diverter include two sections that are at an angle to each other that is substantially the same as the angle of the corner.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of gutters, andmore particularly, an apparatus for diverting water leaked from a gutteraway from a structure to prevent moisture damage to the structure.

BACKGROUND

Gutters have been used for centuries to collect rainwater running off ofa building's roof and to channel the water to a downspout to take thewater to the ground. It is desirable to collect the water and transferit to the ground with minimal water contacting the building. Wood orcorrosive materials may be damaged with prolonged exposure to water.Accordingly, it is highly desirable to provide gutters that do not leak.This is especially troublesome on most residential structures where thegutters are installed adjacent a fascia board, which is generallysusceptible to rot. If the gutters leak onto the fascia board, it mayrot and require costly repairs.

Today, gutters are typically constructed of aluminum, because of itsnon-corrosive and light weight properties. Often, aluminum gutters aresupplied in long sections which are joined by junction plates.Unfortunately, wherever there is a joint, the gutters are prone toleaking. Even when sealed, these joints eventually develop leaks.

One solution to this problem has been to provide gutters in continuouslengths between the end and corners of the roof line. This is typicallyaccomplished by forming the gutters at the jobsite and cutting them tolength to custom fit the structure. This reduces the number of joints,however, joints are still necessary at each corner. Thus, even thisimproved installation method yields the same leakage issues.

In order to minimize leaks, gutter installers generally use a sealant,such as caulk, at the seams. Such sealants are often initiallyeffective, but temperature changes due to the weather put a strain onthe sealant. It is very difficult for a sealant to maintain a watertight seal over time when exposed to intense summer heat and wintercold. The gutter is constantly expanding and contracting with theenvironmental temperature and unless the sealant expands and contractsat the same rate, gaps will form. Once a gap forms, a leak is likely tofollow.

Another problem is that if a leak develops after installation, it can bevery difficult to reapply the sealant in the gutters. This is especiallyproblematic in some of today's covered gutter systems where the coverslimit, or prevent, access to the inside of the gutter withoutdisassembling the gutter. While, disassembly is possible, it greatlyincreases the time, effort, and cost associated with accessing theinside of the gutter.

One solution is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,186,531 to Okolischan.Okolischan describes a plate that can be inserted between the gutter andthe fascia board. The plate extends past the fascia board so that waterdripping down the plate will be carried past the fascia board andtherefore will not contact it. This solution is undesirable for manyinstallations. Since the plate must extend past the fascia board, it canbe unsightly, especially when wide fascia boards are used. Additionally,the Okolischan device does not direct the water away from the structure,it merely allows it to drip down from below the fascia board.Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an apparatus to keep waterleaked from a gutter away from a building structure.

Additionally, there is a need in the art for an apparatus that can beeasily installed with a gutter system for protecting a structure forleaks that develop when sealants break down.

Also, there is a need in the art for an apparatus that can be installedinto an existing gutter system to protect a structure from water leakingfrom the gutter.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a leak diverter for diverting leakedwater from a gutter away from a structure. The leak diverter deviceprovides a novel and effective method for diverting water leaked from agutter away from a fascia board or other moisture sensitive material.The leak diverter-may be installed along with a new gutter system ateach gutter seam or gutter joint to divert any water leaked through thejoint away from the structure on which the gutter is installed.Additionally, the leak diverter may be installed in an existing guttersystem when leaks are discovered or as a preventative measure to combatpotential leaks and to preserve the structure on which the gutter ismounted. In residential applications, the gutter is typically mounted toa fascia board and thus the leak diverter may be installed between thegutter and the fascia board.

The leak diverter generally comprises a first portion locatedsubstantially parallel to a fascia board and a second portion adjacentto and protruding from the first portion away from the fascia board.Additionally, it is preferable that the angle between the first portionand the second portion be greater than 90 degrees and less than 180degrees. Furthermore, the leak diverter may be installed adjacent astraight section of gutter or may be installed at a corner where twogutter sections meet. When installed at a corner, the first portion andthe second portion of the leak diverter are shaped at an angle that issubstantially the same as the angle of the corner.

The leak diverter is preferably impervious to water to protect thefascia board by serving as a barrier to water leaking from the gutter.The leak diverter also preferably has a surface that allows leaked waterto run down the leak diverter and to drip away from the fascia board.

In a corner arrangement, the leak diverter structure follows the contourof the corner, maintaining its position between the fascia board and thegutter. Structures for various corner configurations are described.

These and other features as well as advantages, which characterize thevarious preferred embodiments of present invention, will be apparentfrom a reading of the following detailed description and a review of theassociated drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention installed between a fascia board and a gutter on an outsidecorner of a building.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention installed between a fascia board and a gutter on an insidecorner of a building.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention for use on an inside corner of a building.

FIG. 4 is a top-view illustration of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention for use on an inside corner of a building.

FIG. 5 is a side-view illustration of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention for use on an inside corner of a building.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention for use on an outside corner of a building.

FIG. 7 is a top-view illustration of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention for use on an outside corner of a building.

FIG. 8 is a side-view illustration of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention for use on an outside corner of a building.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent likeelements, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are hereindescribed.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show two exemplary embodiments of the present inventioninstalled in on a residential structure. Specifically, FIG. 1 shows aleak diverter 100 installed on an outside corner of a house between afascia board 110 and a gutter 105. For context, the roof 115 and thewalls 120 of the house are shown. As installed, the leak diverter 100 ispositioned between the gutter and the fascia board 110 adjacent a seamin the gutter 105. Thus, if any water leaks from the gutter 105 at theseam, it will be kept away from the fascia board 110 and away from thehouse by the leak diverter 100. While FIG. 1 shows the leak diverter 100installed at an outside corner of the house, the leak diverter 100 maybe installed adjacent any gutter seam, any gutter leak, or any otherportion of a gutter. For example, and not limitation, seams may belocated at any point where two gutter sections meet.

FIG. 2 shows a leak diverter 100 installed between a fascia board 110and a gutter 105 on an inside corner of a building. Additionally, a leakdiverter 100 could be installed along a straight section of gutter 105if a gutter section was too short to span between two corners.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention for use on an inside corner of a building. In an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, the leak diverter includes a firstportion 300 that is located adjacent a fascia board and a second portion305 protruding from the first portion and away from the fascia board110. In such an arrangement, the first portion 300 is between the fasciaboard 110 and the gutter 105. Accordingly, the first portion 300 maypreferably be sufficiently thin so as to allow installation between thegutter and the fascia board without spacing the gutter 105 a significantdistance from the fascia board 110. In fact, in some embodiments of thepresent invention, it may be desirable to provide a first portion 300that is thin enough to be inserted between a gutter 105 that is alreadyinstalled adjacent the fascia board 110.

Typically, when installing the leak diverter 100 into a preinstalledgutter system, the gutter 105 may be deflected a small distance awayfrom the fascia board 110. Those skilled in the art will recognize thatsuch deflection may require removal of one or more gutter anchors usedto attach the gutter 105 to the fascia board 110. Thus, it may bedesirable for the leak deflector 100 to be sufficiently thin and rigidto enable one to insert the leak diverter 100 into a tight fittinglocation.

The first portion 300 is preferably of sufficient height to extend nearthe top of the gutter. In such a configuration, the leak diverter 100will divert a leak from the gutter 105 regardless of how high in thegutter the leak is. Thus, even if the gutter 105 is nearly full ofwater, the leak diverter 100 may be capable of diverting a leak.

The second portion 305 extends down from the first portion 300 anddirects water down and away from the fascia board 110 and the building.By being positioned at an angle away from the fascia board 110, waterleaking from the gutter 105 will run down the first portion 300 to thesecond portion 305 and then drip off the bottom end of the secondportion 305 a distance away from the fascia board 110 so as to preventwater contact. Preferably, the angle between the first portion 300 andsecond portion 305 is greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degreesso that the water will run down and away from the fascia board 110. Inan exemplary embodiment, the bottom edge of the second portion 305 maybe approximately one-half inch or more away from the fascia board 110.Accordingly, the water will drip away from the fascia board 110 therebykeeping the fascia board 110 dry and protected.

When using the leak diverter 100 along a straight run of gutter 105, theleak diverter 100 may be arranged with a flat first portion 300 and aflat second portion 305. However, when using the leak diverter 100 on acorner, as shown in FIG. 2, it is preferable that the first portion 300include two sections 300 a, 300 b and that the second portion includetwo sections 305 a, 305 b. For use with a right angle corner, the twosections 300 a, 300 b are preferably at a right angle to each other.However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the presentinvention may be practiced with any corner having any corner angle.

Throughout this description, the first portion 300 may refer to thesingle section 300 a arrangement without the corner or to the twosection 300 a, 300 b arrangement for use on a corner.

FIG. 4 shows a top-view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention for use on an inside corner of a building. As shown in FIG. 4,the first portion 300 includes two sections 300 a, 300 b. Additionally,FIG. 4 shows the two sections 300 a, 300 b or the first portion 300arranged at an angle of approximately 90 degrees.

FIG. 5 shows a side-view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention for use on an inside corner of a building. As shown in FIG. 5,the first portion 300 is adjacent the second portion 305 and the secondportion 305 is angled into the page.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention for use on an outside corner of a building. As shown in FIG.6, the first portion 300 of the leak diverter is made up of two sections300 a, 300 b. Additionally, the two sections 300 a, 300 b of the firstportion 300 of the leak diverter 100 are arranged such that the firstsection 300 a is at an angle to the second section 300 b such that thefirst portion 300 can fit around an outside corner of a building orother structure. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,the angle between the first section 300 a and the second section 300 bmay be approximately 90 degrees in order to fit around a corner that isapproximately a right angle. Alternatively, the angle between the firstsection 300 a and the second section 300 b may be any anglesubstantially corresponding to a corner angle to be fit. For example,and not limitation, in order to accommodate a bay window, the roof lineof a house may have corners of approximately 120 to 150 degrees.Accordingly, it may be desirable to utilize a leak diverter 100 with amatching angle between the two sections 300 a, 300 b in order to divertleaks that could arise at a gutter joint at this location. Those ofordinary skill in the art will be familiar with common angles used inconstructing various corners and it may be preferable for the presentinvention to be manufactured at these common angles for use on thesecorners.

Also shown in FIG. 6 is the second portion 305 of the leak diverter.Similar to the arrangement described above, the second portion 305 isadjacent the first portion 305 and is angled away from the fascia board110 of a building. In an exemplary arrangement, the second portion 305is located below the first portion. Additionally, the first portion 300and the second portion 305 may be fabricated as a single unitary piece.As shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, the second portion 305 of the leakdiverter extends around a corner. Due to the second portion 305 beingangled away from the building, the second portion 305 may include threesections 305 a, 305 b, 305 c. The third section 305 c is used to bridgethe gap between the first two sections 305 a, 305 b since they may nottouch at the corner. This third section 305 c may be, but is not limitedto, a curved section, as shown in FIG. 6, a corner section, or any otherarrangement appropriate for connecting the other two sections 305 a, 305b.

FIG. 7 shows a top-view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention for use on an outside corner of a building. As shown in FIG.7, the first portion 300 of the leak diverter 100 is arranged with aright angle between its two sections 300 a, 300 b. Additionally, thecorner 300 c where the two sections 300 a, 300 b meet may be rounded.

FIG. 8 shows a side-view illustration of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention for use on an outside corner of a building. As shownin FIG. 8, the second portion 305 of the leak diverter 100 may include afirst section 305 a and a second section 305 b. Additionally, asdescribed above, a connecting section 305 c may be used to connect theother two sections 305 a, 305 b of the leak diverter. Alternatively, theconnecting section 305 c may be omitted and the first section 305 a andthe second section 305 b may be of sufficient size that they meet,thereby eliminating any gap.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the leak diverter100 may be made of plastic and formed through injection molding or anyalternative methods of forming a plastic component. Preferably,injection molded sections are contemplated for various complex forms.Alternatively, the leak diverter 100 may be fabricated from any othermaterial suitable for diverting water leaked from a gutter. Exemplarymaterials may include, but are not limited to plastics, fiberglass,aluminum, rubber, or any other substantially non-corrosive material. Itis preferable that the leak diverter be constructed as a unitary devicesuch that no joints require sealing. This may be accomplished by moldingor casting the device. Alternatively, the leak diverter 100 may befabricated by bending sheet metal and drawing it to form the curve 305 con the lower, second, portion 305 of the leak diverter 100.

For installation, the leak diverter 100 may be attached to the fasciaboard 110 using a variety of fasteners including, but not limited to,nails, screws, adhesives, or any other suitable fasteners.Alternatively, the leak diverter may be installed without the use of afastener. For example, and not limitation, the leak diverter may be heldbetween the gutter 105 and the fascia board 110 through the force of thegutter 105 against the fascia board 110 or by friction.

While the present description has been described with particularreference to the invention when installed between a gutter 105 and afascia board 110, as shown in the drawings, those skilled in the artwill recognize that the leak diverter may be implemented in a variety ofsettings when it is desirable to protect a moisture sensitive materialfrom fluid leaked from a gutter or other fluid carrying device.

While the various embodiments of this invention have been described indetail with particular reference to exemplary embodiments, those skilledin the art will understand that variations and modifications can beeffected within the scope of the invention as defined in the appendedclaims. Accordingly, the scope of the various embodiments of the presentinvention should not be limited to the above discussed embodiments, andshould only be defined by the following claims and all applicableequivalents.

1. A leak diverting device for use with a rain gutter and a fascia boardfor diverting water leaked from the rain gutter away from the fasciaboard, the lead diverting device comprising: a first portion locatedsubstantially parallel to the fascia board; and a second portionprotruding from the first portion away from the fascia board; wherein anangle between the first portion and second portion is greater than 90degrees and less than 180 degrees.
 2. The leak diverting device of claim1, wherein at least part of the first portion is located between therain gutter and the fascia board.
 3. The leak diverting device of claim1, wherein the first portion has a top end and a bottom end and thefascia board extends below the bottom end of the first portion.
 4. Theleak diverting device of claim 1, wherein the angle between the firstportion and the second portion is greater than 90 degrees and less than160 degrees.
 5. The leak diverting device of claim 1, wherein the firstportion is made of a non-corrosive material.
 6. The leak divertingdevice of claim 1, wherein the first portion has a thickness that issufficiently thin to allow installation between a preinstalled raingutter and a fascia board.
 7. The leak diverting device of claim 1,wherein the first portion has a first section and a second section andthe first portion is adapted such that an angle between the firstsection and the second section is substantially equal to 90 degrees. 8.The leak diverting device of claim 7, wherein the leak diverting deviceis adapted to fit into an inside corner.
 9. The leak diverting device ofclaim 7, wherein the leak diverting device is adapted to fit into anoutside corner.
 10. The leak diverting device of claim 1, wherein thelead diverting device is adapted for use on a corner having a firstangle; wherein the first portion has a first section and a secondsection; and wherein the first portion is adapted such that an anglebetween the first section and the second section is substantially equalto the first angle.
 11. The leak diverting device of claim 1, whereinthe leak diverting device is composed of a resilient material.
 12. Theleak diverting device of claim 1, wherein the lead diverting device iscomposed of plastic.
 13. The leak diverting device of claim 1, whereinthe second portion directs water down and away from the fascia board.14. The leak diverting device of claim 1, wherein the gutter has agutter joint and the first portion is adjacent the gutter joint.
 15. Theleak diverting device of claim 1, wherein the gutter has a leak and thefirst portion is adjacent the leak.
 16. A leak diverting device for usewith a rain gutter for diverting water leaked from the rain gutter awayfrom a structure on which the gutter is associated, the lead divertingdevice comprising: a first portion located substantially parallel to thestructure; and a second portion protruding from the first portion awayfrom the structure; wherein an angle between the first portion andsecond portion is greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees.